Abu Dhabi’s real estate market recorded a strong start to 2026, with total property transactions reaching AED117 billion during the first six months of the year. Official figures released by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) showed sharp growth in both transaction value and activity, reflecting continued demand from local and international investors.
According to ADREC, the total value of real estate transactions increased by 112 percent compared with the first half of 2025. The number of transactions also climbed by 61.7 percent, showing steady growth across the emirate’s property sector.
Property sales made up the largest share of the market. Sales transactions reached AED86.1 billion through 16,838 deals during the first half of 2026. The value of these sales rose by 163.7 percent compared with the same period last year, highlighting strong activity in Abu Dhabi’s residential and commercial property markets.
Mortgage activity also remained strong. ADREC reported mortgage transactions worth AED26.7 billion across 8,876 transactions, representing an increase of more than 33 percent in value from a year earlier. Musataha and long-term lease transactions totaled AED4 billion, while gift transactions reached AED311.5 million.
Foreign investment continued to play a major role in the market’s growth. Foreign direct investment into Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector reached AED13.8 billion during the first half of 2026. This marked a 309 percent increase compared with the same period in 2025. The amount invested during the first six months of the year also exceeded the total foreign direct investment recorded throughout all of 2025.
Investors from 116 nationalities purchased property in Abu Dhabi during the first half of the year. This was a notable increase from 82 nationalities during the same period last year. The United Kingdom, China, the Russian Federation, the United States, Germany, and France ranked among the leading sources of foreign investment.
Investment zones that allow ownership by investors of all nationalities attracted AED75 billion during the first half of 2026. This represented a 181 percent increase compared with AED26.7 billion recorded during the same period in 2025, reflecting growing international confidence in Abu Dhabi’s property market.
ADREC said its focus remains on creating a transparent and reliable real estate environment that supports informed investment decisions. The center noted that clear regulations and accurate market information continue to strengthen investor confidence while supporting sustainable growth across the sector.
The property market also expanded through new development opportunities. During the first six months of 2026, ADREC approved eight new investment zones, increasing the total number across Abu Dhabi to 50. The authority also registered 28 new real estate projects, representing a 16 percent increase compared with the first half of last year.
Growth was also seen in the professional real estate sector. ADREC issued 2,040 licenses for real estate professionals during the first half of 2026, an increase of 34 percent compared with the previous year. The total number of licensed real estate brokers in Abu Dhabi reached 3,302, supporting the expanding property market.
The center also continued to improve market transparency through its Madhmoun platform. Since its launch, the system has issued more than 41,200 regulated real estate advertising permits, helping improve the quality and reliability of property listings available to buyers and investors.
The latest figures show Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector continued its strong growth during the first half of 2026, supported by rising sales, expanding foreign investment, new development projects, and ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency across the market.
